Yvonne has been involved in the arts since her teenage years. She began her arts career with Knowsley Youth Theatre in Liverpool. Before starting her teaching career, Yvonne worked with several theatre-in-education companies and also sang in a band for over 20 years. As a qualified further education teacher, she has taught adults in performing arts within a variety of educational and workshop settings. Yvonne studied at Drama School in her native Liverpool for three years and performed on stage at the Everyman and Playhouse Theatres. Yvonne is a post-graduate in Educational Management and has over 25 years of experience as a leader education, with ten years at Wigan and Leigh College in a leadership role as Head of Construction – experience which turned out to be essential as she oversaw the major works to expand and refurbish A’ The Airts during the pandemic in 2020/2021! Since 2017 and to date, Yvonne enjoys leading a large diverse team of employees and volunteers as Community Arts Centre Manager for A’ the Airts in Sanquhar. As the Centre Manager, Yvonne is responsible for the management of the team and the overall operations of the Community Arts Centre including the programming of all events, cafe, and the community and arts programs as well as teaching employability skills. She has extensive experience in fundraising. Yvonne also runs the A’ the Airts Youth Theatre and has a talent and heartfelt passion for working with and engaging with a diverse range of members of the community, especially the youngest members of the community. Her love of working with community is demonstrated by the high regard in which she is held by the people and communities in Upper Nithsdale, especially the staff and pupils of the primary and secondary schools and a host of charities and community groups. Yvonne brings her financial acumen, management skills, and leadership experience and her strong community development skills to her role as a valued Treasurer and Trustee for DG Unlimited.